• CM Omar to flag off 42-km race at 6:30 am
• 73 foreign athletes from 12 countries among participants
Irfan Yattoo
Srinagar| Oct, 24: Srinagar is preparing for an early-morning sporting spectacle on Sunday, with around 2,000 runners expected to take part in the third edition of the Kashmir International Marathon, bringing international athletes onto roads winding past Dal Lake, Boulevard and the city’s Mughal gardens.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will flag off the 42.195-km full marathon at 6:30 am, followed by the 21-km half marathon at 7:45 am, as the Tourism Department seeks to establish the event as an annual fixture and strengthen Kashmir’s profile as a destination for international sporting events.
With banners and hoardings put up along the route, barricading completed and pothole repairs undertaken, officials said preparations for the event had been completed. The marathon is scheduled for Sunday, October 25, with traffic restrictions and diversions expected to affect several major roads from early morning.
“We have completed the preparations for tomorrow’s event,” Director Tourism Kashmir Syed Qamar Sajjad said, adding that the department had coordinated arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the races.
A total of 1,807 runners had registered online by Saturday, including 1,221 participants from Jammu and Kashmir, 513 from other parts of the country and 73 foreign athletes representing 12 countries. Organisers expect the final participation to cross 2,000, with on-the-spot registration also opened for those who missed the online deadline.
Of the registered participants, 1,416 have opted for the half marathon and 391 for the full marathon. The registrations include 1,614 men and 193 women.
The event is being positioned as part of a broader effort to promote sports tourism, with the route designed to showcase Srinagar’s landscape and cultural heritage. Participants will pass through prominent stretches around Dal Lake, Boulevard Drive, Nishat Garden and other locations.
The international turnout comes as the Tourism Department looks to give the marathon continuity rather than treat it as a one-off event. Sajjad said the government intended to make it a regular annual feature and use participation by overseas athletes to bring wider international attention to Kashmir.
Beyond its sporting dimension, the marathon is also being used to promote local participation and tourism-linked businesses.
A separate prize category has been introduced for runners from Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had said earlier this week, to encourage local athletes and create greater opportunities for them to compete alongside national and international participants.
The Marathon Expo, inaugurated by Abdullah at Polo View, features 20 stalls showcasing local handicrafts, handloom products, agricultural produce and other goods. The initiative is intended to give local entrepreneurs and producers exposure to visitors and participants.
The government is seeking to connect the event with the wider tourism economy, including hotels, transport operators and businesses that could benefit from the arrival of athletes and accompanying visitors. The long-term test, however, will be whether the marathon can attract sustained participation and repeat visitors in subsequent editions.
The event will bring extensive traffic restrictions across the city on Sunday, with several key roads closed or regulated to facilitate the races.
Residency Road, from Radio Kashmir Crossing to Polo View, will remain closed from 5 am to 5 pm. Restrictions will also apply to parts of M.A. Road, the route towards Dalgate and Nehru Park, and roads connecting Rajbagh, Lal Mandi and Presentation Convent School.
Traffic movement towards Kralsangri, Nishat, Habbak Crossing and Kashmir University up to Sir Syed Gate will remain restricted from 5 am until the marathon concludes. Heavy motor vehicles will not be permitted on R.R. Road, Gupkar Road, Boulevard Road and Foreshore Road from 8 pm on Saturday.
Traffic Police has advised commuters to plan journeys in advance and avoid unnecessary travel along the affected corridors. Designated parking facilities have been arranged at several locations, including SP College Ground, Press Colony multilevel parking, Gindun Park in Rajbagh, TRC grounds and the Institute of Hotel Management.
Students appearing for examinations have been advised to carry valid admit cards to facilitate movement through restricted routes. Emergency vehicles, including ambulances and fire tenders, will be prioritised. Commuters can seek assistance through the Srinagar Traffic Police helpline at 103.
